As we all know, winters in Montreal are arguably the most brutal in North America. On top of that, February tends to be the coldest month, with temperatures almost constantly sub zero. But through all the cold and snow, we have a semester to get through. So, here are some tips that I, personally, take into account and hopefully you will too.
1. Insulate Your Body — This means hats, those cute Canada leaf mittens everyone has from the Baie, scarves, even a face warmer if you need to. Also a long winter coat and winter boots are critical, especially considering the slippery sidewalks we have to trek through on our way to class (watch out for the death zone in front of McGill Pizza). Good boots keep you on your feet and a nice heavy, down feather coat keeps you warm and helps break your fall for when the time does unfortunately occur.
2. Invest in Yummy Drinks — With so many cute cafes around montreal, there are cool spots to spend these cold, winter days in. Treat yourself with a hot chocolate or coffee drink and get your study-on in a cute aesthetic cafe. Some of my personal favorites are El Mundo, Nocturne, and La Finca — all definitely instagram worthy.
3. Start a New Netflix Show — When studying starts to drive you crazy, you need something to fall back on. Consider starting a new show but at your own risk; you don’t want to get too hooked during midterm season. But it’s a great activity especially since you can do it in the warm indoors. Try watching some interesting Ted Talks or documentaries so when your friends try to make you feel guilty, you can throw out some fun facts at them. Or Friends. Friends is always a great option.
4. Make a Summer Bucket List — Okay, I know summer seems like its a million years away, but getting excited about the future warm months to come can give you something to look forward to at the end of this semester – especially since it is easy to forget what warmth even feels like when its this cold out. Make a list of things you want to do this summer, even things as simple as sitting outside in the sun… trust me, it will give you some motivation to make it through this semester knowing that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel (literally).
5. Buy Succulents — Plants remind me of spring which reminds me of my beautiful backyard garden back home in Vermont. So, to bring a little springtime charm to my apartment, I invested in succulents which I’ve put around my room to make things a little more colorful. Studies also show that plants can improve your overall mood in the wintertime, which is definitely a plus on gloomy grey days.
6. Embrace Winter Activities — Sometimes instead of hiding from the cold, it’s more beneficial to embrace it! Try an activity like ice-skating, snow-showing, or skiing: you’ll gain a whole new appreciation for the winter months.
Taking all of these into consideration will hopefully leave you feeling happier (and warmer) this winter – give them a go – and remember, nothing lasts forever!
Images obtained from:
giphy.com
http://www.mtlblog.com/2015/11/12-of-the-worst-winter-storms-in-the-hist…